2013 Stocking Stuffers

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Oh Screwdrivers and Stethoscopes, how I’ve neglected thee.

I haven’t abandoned my little blog, I promise.  Life has just gotten in the way.  Weddings.  Jobs.  Holidays.  Repeat. I promise I will have some great posts coming up on the things I have been up to, but in the meantime, let’s discuss 2013 stocking stuffers.

Here are some affordable little stuffers sure to make Santa do a double take:

For the fashionista:

Polka Dot Winter Tights- $9.80

In the cold of winter (last I checked it felt like -9 degrees) you can’t exactly go bare-legged.  Solution:  adorbs tights.

Anatomical Snog me mints- $2.81

Okay not exactly fashion, but I just love things that come in little packages. Plus I love all things Brit. And nice breath isn’t a bad quality either.

For the techie:

Ilovehandles  iPhonePost It Case- $7.95

I love this.  How often do you need a piece of scratch paper, and don’t have one?  For me that’s basically every day.  Note to self: stop taking so many notes. Note to self: get an iphone.

Eye-Fi Wireless SD Cards-$49 and up

So these guys are a little more expensive, but where they lack in affordability, they make up in awesomeness.  I don’t know about you, but I have pictures on my camera’s memory card dating back to 2008.  I love toting my camera to events, but never seem to manage to upload the pictures to my computer.  The solution: the Eye-Fi series, which wirelessly transfers photos from your digital camera directly  to your iPad, iPhone, Kindle, Computer, etc.

For the foodie:

Sriracha Candy Canes- $7.99

I haven’t been too fond of candy canes ever since that time I got the “stomach flu” after consuming them in bulk (Yes, I realize there is no such thing as “stomach flu” and yes I realize consumption of candy canes and gastroenteritis are generally unrelated).  HOWEVER, I might consider nomming on one or two of these strange yet intriguing candies!

Pluck Egg Yolk Separator- $12.99

I’m not sure if this is just an elaborate turkey baster or what.  But either way, I know for sure I always end up picking pieces of egg shell out of my cake batter because I have no idea how to separate egg yolks from the whites.  Enter the Egg Yolk Separator.  You’re welcome.

For the athlete:

Chicago Skyline White Sox Knit Hat- $20

Okay, so this is a shameless selfish suggestion, since this hat represents two of the things I hold dearest to my heart:  Chicago and the White Sox.  This hat is perfect for the days you want to exercise outdoors, but don’t want bright red painful Rudolph ears (you know what I’m talking about!?  Or is it just me…)

Contigo Autoseal Kangaroo Water Bottle-$12

So I ALWAYS have the dilemma of what to bring to workout.  My keys? I really don’t want to be locked out of my apartment, but I don’t want to carry the stupid things around.  Same goes for my ID and Credit Card. You just never know when you are going to need spontaneous retail therapy. 

The Contigo water bottle solves all of my problems.  And hydrates me, which is especially important when I’m out of breath and wheezing because I haven’t been to the gym in a month….but that is a whole different problem…..

 So there you have it...now get to stuffing!

Summer Skin 101

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May was the month that came and went.  I packed, I moved, I cleaned, I repeated. There has been so much going on that I haven't taken any pictures or uploaded any of the projects I have been working on, but I promise next week someday I'll get around to it. Until then, I'm going to focus on the "stethoscopes" part of this blog that I so often neglect.

As the weather starts to get warmer I've noticed hem lines getting shorter and skin tones getting darker.  I *cringe* at the thought (my cellulite and paper white legs only being two very small reasons....).  The main reason I start to cringe is carcinoma.  That's pretty much just a fancy word for cancer.  The second HUGE reason I grab a jacket and a wide brimmed hat when I go outside is rhytids.  Again, pretty much just a fancy word for wrinkles.

Consider this my public service announcement.  If you don't want to look like a hairless cat by the time you're 35, you should take the time to do a few things before you enjoy the sweat inducing summer temps.

1. Wear sunscreen.  Everyday.  Even if you're not planning to go outside. Reapply often and  when purchasing look for broad-spectrum sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection and an SPF higher than 15.
2. Want to avoid crows feet (those cute little wrinkles extending from the corners of your eyes)?  Wear sunglasses every time you drive, go outside (they also help to prevent those pesky things called cataracts)
3. Unless you want to look like Patricia Krentcil a.k.a. tanning mom, never ever ever step foot inside a tanning salon (I KNOW- I went through a period of time where Snookie had NOTHING on me.  But do as I say and not as I do.  My skin will definitely be paying for my stupid mistakes in the near future). Want to look tanned but want to avoid the salons? Invest in some nice non-stinky non-orangey self tanning solution.  The self tanners/bronzers have come a long way (I use Loreal's Sublime Bronze..it's cheap, it does the job, and I turn brown without all of the associated risks) 

Here is Oprah's guide to the best new bronzers, big O is never wrong is she?

4.  Go all boho chic this summer meaning, look like a homeless person and grab as many layers as possible.  Wear a wide brimmed hat.  Wear sunglasses.  Wear a light weight cardigan.  Basically cover up.  Leave something everything to the imagination. 

5.  If you ever notice a mole that seems to not go away or keeps getting bigger, a lesion that doesn't heal, etc....go see your dermatologist or local PA.  Trust me, these are not things you want to put by the wayside.  Look for the A,B,C,D,Es of skin cancer: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color change, Diameter enlargement and Evolution/Elevation.

Follow these guidelines and you'll continue to look flawless for years to come.  If you don't then you *might* be paying me a visit soon that expected.

P.S.  Wondering what a hairless cat looks like?  Totes not cute.  Stay out of the sun yo.